ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00507.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00508.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00510.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Background: According to the results of nationwide surveys, the prevalence of urolithiasis has been steadily increasing in Japan. However, these surveys relied on hospital statistics, and there has been no survey of the prevalence of urolithiasis in Japan utilizing postal questionnaires. We surveyed the prevalence of urolithiasis among the inhabitants of Kaizuka City.Methods: A total of 3,000 inhabitants ranging from 20 to 59 years old were randomly selected from the census register in numbers consistent with the population distribution of each district and sex by municipal computerized system.Results: A total of 1,975 postal questionnaires were returned, and 1,972 (65.7%) were considered valid. Of the respondents, 137 (6.95%) had a history of stones (men; 9.64%, women; 4.51%). The annual incidence of urolithiasis for Kaizuka citizens aged from 20 to 59 years old in 1991 was 0.97%, and the lifetime prevalence of urolithiasis increased linearly with age, and it was 10.3% for respondents in their 50s. In the total survey population of 7,568, which included the respondents and their family members, 342 (4.52%) had a history of stones. Male administrative workers had a significantly higher prevalence than any other occupational group. The monthly expenditure on food by the families of stone formers was significantly greater than that by the families of non‐stone formers.Conclusion: Extrapolation of the findings suggests that ≥1 0% of the general population (≥13% of men and>7% of women) can be expected to suffer from urolithiasis at least once in their lif

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00511.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Background: Tacrolimus (FK 506) was introduced into organ transplantation as a powerful immunosuppressive but with several adverse effects. In fact, an appropriate protocol for using this agent has not yet been established. On the basis of pharmacokinetic studies and the reports of its administration as a continuous intravenous infusion, we designed the regimen of every eight hours in order to reduce the daily dosage.Methods: Tacrolimus was given to nine patients in the Japanese FK506 study. Although it was discontinued in two patients within two months because of adverse effects and acute rejection, seven other patients tolerated the agent for a long period and received the drug three times a day. Concomitant prednisolone was gradually tapered and finally withdrawn in these patients.Results: The smaller dosage of tacrolimus led to a higher trough concentration of 14.1 ± 1.6ng/mL in the three‐times‐a‐day regimen compared with 12.7 ± 1.9ng/ml in twice‐a‐day therapy (P<0.01). The daily dosage of tacrolimus proved to be reducible even further. Our target trough concentration was decreased finally to<5ng/mL. Concomitant prednisolone was withdrawn in all of the seven patients. The course of these patients has been uneventful for a year after withdrawal of prednisolone. Conclusion: Our regimen of three‐times‐a‐day oral administration of tacrolimus is a likely protocol for reduction of its daily dosage, which lowers its adverse effects while maintaining its immunosuppressive action at a lower trough concentration without concomi

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00512.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Background: In addition to currently available modalities of intracorporeal lithotripsy (ultrasonic, electrohydraulic, and laser), a new ballistic lithotriptor known as the Swiss Lithoclast has recently gained attention. This study reports our experience with the Swiss Lithoclast in the endoscopic management of urinary calculi.Methods: A total of 51 patients with urinary calculi were treated with the Swiss Lithoclast; one patient with a renal calculus, 28 with ureteral calculi, and 22 with lower urinary tract (bladder, urethra and Kock pouch) calculi.Results: The Lithoclast successfully fragmented 94% of the calculi, independent of stone composition. Complete failure of fragmentation was not encountered. In six of the 10 upper ureteral calculi, stone fragments were pushed up into the calyces. Adjunctive extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for residual fragments was performed in six cases. The stone‐free rate at one and three months was 84% and 88%, respectively. There were no intraoperative or long‐term complications directly related to the use of this device.Conclusion: The Swiss Lithoclast is a safe and effective means of intracorporeal lithotripsy. Although suitable for mid and lower ureteral stones, the device has a risk of stone push‐up in patients with upper ureteral s

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00513.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Background: Serotonin (5‐HT) is a potent vasoconstrictor and activator of platelets, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. The result of activation by serotonin is platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of serotonin metabolism as a mediator of tacrolimus (FK 506) nephrotoxicity.Methods: The whole blood and plasma levels of serotonin and its major metabolite (5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid: 5‐HIAA) as well as renal cortical blood flow were investigated in rats administered FK 506 at doses of 4, 6 or 8mg/kg b.w. for 14 consecutive days.Results: Renal cortical blood flow declined in a dose‐dependent manner in the rats given FK 506, whereas serum creatinine remained unaltered following FK 506 administration. Although there was no significant change in serotonin, the whole blood and plasma 5‐HIAA levels increased significantly following FK 506 administration.Conclusion: FK 506 may cause acute nephrotoxicity by decreasing renal blood flow and the increase of 5‐HIAA suggests some role of serotonin metabolism in the development of FK 506 nep

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00514.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Background: We previously reported that hemin‐induced mitogenicity in mouse splenocytes was potentiated up to two‐fold by interleukin (IL)‐2, and the combination of hemin and IL‐2 was also effective in inducing cytotoxicity for NK‐resistant target cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hemin both on expression of membrane surface receptors and on production of cytokine in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Methods: Human PBMC were obtained from 16 healthy volunteers. We analyzed hemin‐mediated surface phenotypes of cells using flow cytometry, and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (1FN)‐γ in the culture‐supernatant of cells by ELSA system.Results: Hemin induced increased expression of both transferring receptor and IL‐2 receptor (CD25) on PBMC in a dose‐dependent manner. When the combination of hemin (30μno//L) and IL‐2 (100U/mL) was added to the culture of PBMC, the population of double positive cells was increased up to 70.4%. These effects of hemin were enhanced by the addition of catalase in the culture. Treatment with hemin plus IL‐2 effectively enhanced the production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in PBMC.Conclusion: Hemin upregulated both IL‐2 receptor and transferrin receptor expression, and stimulated TNF‐α: and IFN‐γ production in PBMC. IL‐2 coop

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00515.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Background: Immune cytokines have been shown to play important roles in regulating the growth of neoplastic cells, as well as the function of immune cells. The present study assessed the effects of interleukin (IL)‐4 alone, and in combination with recombinant interferon (IFN)‐α2b, or with IL‐2, or with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α on the in vitro proliferation of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell‐lines.Methods: Growth‐inhibitory effects of IL‐4 alone, and in combination with other cytokines, on three human RCC cell‐lines, Caki‐1, CURC‐II, and A‐498, were measured by the [3H]thymidine incorporation assay.Results: IL‐4 inhibited proliferation of all three human RCC cell‐lines (P<0.001). The maximum growth inhibition of RCC cell‐lines by IL‐4 alone was observed at the concentration of 1 to 3 ng/mL, depending on the cell‐line. Antihuman IL‐4 antisera was able to reverse the growth‐inhibitory effects of IL‐4 on Caki‐1 in a dose‐dependent manner, proving that the growth inhibition was mediated by IL‐4 itself. When other cytokines were added in combination with IL‐4, only IFN‐α2b resulted in significant additional growth inhibition (P<0.005). However, when the proliferation was compared to that of RCC cells that were not treated with any cytokine, all combinations produced marked growth inhibition. Conclusion: Our data suggest that IL‐4 alone, or in combination with IFN‐α2b, can be us

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00516.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Background: Urea‐splitting microorganisms cannot always be detected by stone or urine culture in patients with infection stones. Detection of genetic elements within the calculi by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be a useful alternative. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of the PCR method in detecting the urease gene specific toProteus mirabilisin urinary calculi.Methods: Thirty‐eight metabolic stones (calcium oxalate and/or calcium phosphate, uric acid, or cystine) and 49 struvite stones were examined. The PCR was applied with DNA extracted by boiling pulverized stone pieces.Results: Of the 87 stones, PCR demonstrated the presence of theP. mirabilisurease elements ureC1 and ureC2 in 1 7, all of which were struvite. Stone culture and urine culture had been performed in 22 and 46 struvite stone cases, respectively, and the PCR was positive in all of the 10 culture‐positive calculi and also in two calculi from whichP. mirabiliswas not isolated.Conclusion: PCR was reliable and convenient for detectingP. mirabilisin desiccated struvite calculi. Study to detect other species such asUreaplasmaorCorynebacteriumwould be useful in elucidating the role of bacterial infection in the formation of these s

ISSN:0919-8172    

DOI:10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00517.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY